Amazon follows Bay Area tech companies on NFL ‘Rooney Rule’ for diversity

(FILES) This file photo taken on June 16, 2017 shows a visitor checking in at the Amazon corporate headquarters in Seattle, Washington. Amazon said January 18, 2018 it had narrowed to 20 its options for a second headquarters for the sprawling technology and lifestyle company headed by Jeff Bezos, the world's richest individual. After 238 cities from North America submitted bids, Amazon announced its short list included three in the vicinity of the US capital Washington, and the Canadian city of Toronto. / AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / David Ryder

Taking a cue from Bay Area tech companies, who took a cue from the National Football League, Amazon has adopted the “Rooney Rule” requiring new board members to be selected from a pool containing female and minority candidates. 

The Seattle e-commerce giant in a regulatory filing Monday announced the change. The firm had recently opposed such a move, outraging some employees, Recode reported May 8. Amazon's 10-member board is all white, with three women, according to Recode.